Neb’s dream, unspoken and almost condemning all the leaders in the kingdom, interpreted by Daniel. Daniel tells the king in 2:27 that no man can do as he requested, but God in Heaven alone.

idol created, close in description to dream interpreted; Hebrew children’s refusal to bow

side note: why is it that the tattletale was not scolded for not complete worship?

Then Neb says this…

Daniel 3:15b Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

And here’s the Hebrew’s reply

Daniel 3:16-19 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Neb was not happy and ordered the furnace heated up 7 times hotter than normal, that the Hebrews be tied by the strongest of the soldiers, and thrown into the furnace. Once in, the king noticed that there were 4 in the fire, and the forth looked as the Son of God. He called to the three to come out, and there was no sign of the fire in their hair, cloths, skin, or even a scent. The only thing that was a sign of them being thrown in was that the ropes had been removed from them.

Daniel 3:28-30 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

From the beginning of their time with Nebuchadnezzar, an identity change was attempted. Names, food and drink, dwellings, and jobs.

Dan'iel. (judgment of God)

Belteshaz'zar. (favored by Bel)..Baal

Hanani'ah. (gift of God).

Sha'drach. (royal, or the great scribe)

Mish'ael. (who is what God is?).

Me'shach. (guest of a king)

Azari'ah. (whom the Lord helps).

Abed'nego. ( that is, servant of Nego)

The saving them from sinful compliance, was as great a miracle in the kingdom of grace, as the saving them out of the fiery furnace was in the kingdom of nature.

We are to be meek in our replies, but we must be decided that we will obey God rather than man.

Both sides were resolved in their decision

God will deliver us, either from death or in death.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

What you have to understand is that, though the fire comes against you in the physical, the Holy Spirit is the true fire. It burns within us greater than anything that we could ever face. The Holy Ghost keeps us fresh and alert for anything the enemy can try to bring against us.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

But the beauty of our God is that He can chose not to completely consume us. Remember the burning bush

What he will do for us, whether it be in the physical or spiritually, is release us from the capture’s snares and bondage. He will deliver us from the Devil’s ropes, consuming them to his own glory and praise.

Joshua 24:15 choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.